Nine Inch Nails has also contributed to numerous film soundtracks as well as the soundtrack to the video game Quake. Initial ambitions for Nine Inch Nails in 1988 were to release one 12-inch single on a small European label.

Produced by Alan Moulder & Trent Reznor. She shines in a world full of ugliness She matters when everything is meaningless Fragile, she doesn't see her beauty She tries to get away Sometimes it's just that nothing seems worth saving I can't watch her slip away. I won't let you fall apart I won't let you fall apart I won't let you fall apart I won't let you fall apart.

The Fragile is even bleaker than 1994's The Downward Spiral as it lurches along with a perpetual scowl. A frenzied collection of buzz-saw pop, Trent Reznor's grim opus yo-yos through two CDs with scattershot intensity. Hushed one minute and explosive the next, spite and anger intermix with heartbreaking resignation, sometimes in the course of one song.

Nine Inch Nails Fragile Album Art NIN Music Poster 11x17. Find this Pin and more on Posters by Caleb Rutland. Hesitation Marks' is Trent Reznor's first NIN album in five years, and is one of his best, combining the textural exploration on the 1999 double CD 'The Fragile,' and the tighter fury of his 1994 master blast, 'The Downward Spiral.

"Fragile" is the industry friendly NIN record. I cant stand "Starfuckers" and the only dope thing's about "Fragile" is that Dr.Dre got a mixing credit on "Deeper" and the verse featured on "The Day The World Went Away". Needed more lyrics on this one, too polished for my ears , this does not feel like the same NIN from the first two records and that probably has to do with the multiple lineup changes. "The Fragile" is further proof that not every legendary act can pull off the runtime of a double-album, especially when some of their songs instrumental distortions can be so unpleasant to the ears and drawn-out on even just a single.

Gardataur

Everyone should proceed vinyls on the same way like Dr. Reznor does! Breathtaking cover and inside art+bootleg, 180g black vinyls, bad ass sharp and clean recording, amazing mastering. When I am listening to this recordings I just want to replace my speakers immediately because they are just not enough for these "heights"... you just want to upgrade straight away:D to get all the details. Nice one

Tekasa

If anyone has this and is willing to part with it shoot me a message

Cordanara

Wow, this is such a great pressing. M vinyl is nice and quiet, and I didn't even give a clean yet! Songs are rich and sound is vivid. Layers exposed that I didn't notice on the cd pressing. I am also glad that he included 'The New Flesh', which wasn't on the CD pressing but was included on the original vinyl version. Definite must have.

Sermak Light

Oh Trent, where's the 5.1 surround mix you said had been completed back in 2014? Do we have to wait till 2019 for an epic 20th-anniversary reissue? We'll see.

Vudogal

Awww man, I just received my copy from Amazon.co.uk but there were 2 copies of disk #1 and no disk #2. Album was still sealed.This one had the Nothing Records sticker on the outside, B0025682-01.Edit:Ok so I returned the wrong one and ordered it again, this time it had the Interscope Records sticker on the outside and disk 1,2 and 3 were all present.

Jerinovir

The fact that it doesn't have (With Decay) holds me back from wanting this more than it probably should... I know that applies to all the pressings for The Fragile on vinyl, but I was hoping this one would at least be different. There's no similar problem with the Definitive/any press of The Downward Spiral, is there?

Benn

Be careful with these original pressings of The Fragile: Crackling and pops may be persistent on these editions. This is almost fatal for such a dynamic record. My copy, while well produced, crackles and pops through all six sides of playback despite multiple spinwashes to clear blemishes. If buying an unsealed OG copy of the Fragile, make sure you ask your seller for a sound review beyond a visual grading.

Kesalard

My copy came with the same hype sticker as this release: https://www.discogs.com/Nine-Inch-Nails-The-Fragile/release/4405

Buge

This is a phenomenal pressing, but not the best in my collection. The claims below saying it is quiet is not entirely accurate.A deep clean, brand new and cleaned stylus, storage in anti-static sleeves, and a de-static of the record immediately before playback did not eliminate the pops and cracks. It's not super noticeable when listening with speakers. But when using headphones? It's noticeable. Listen on speakers for an ideal experience.

Gerceytone

Absolutely fantastic job, well deserving of the so called definitive edition.

Frlas

This is hands down the best sounding record in my 300+ (and always growing) collection! Reznor did a killer job on this. It's exciting to finally be able to own The Fragile on vinyl and I couldn't be more ecstatic with how well this definitive edition came out. Your ears can tune into every layer on every track perfectly with this super clean sounding remaster, making this an incredibly rewarding listen.

Budar

Has anyone had issues with their copy being slightly off-pitch?

Doukree

Almost certainly just your turntable, but I can check my copy if you want

Maveri

If your player is belt driven you may need to change your belt

Ironrunner

Nasty bump on the first side of disk one gutted apart from that sounds amazing far better than orig.

Nuadora

Is there a specific difference between this (USA) and Europe versions ?

Ttyr

As others have mentioned, the mastering sounds incredible on this reissue and the vinyl is very clean and quiet. On my copy, Disc 2 has a bit of a warp near the outer edge causing the cartridge to shake significantly and creating a popping sound for the first 30 seconds or so of The Way Out Is Through. I saw one other comment below with a similar issue. Not sure if this is a defect related to the pressing, or if it's just the copy I bought. Anyone else have this issue?

Tuliancel

got mine today and she looks great, no warp on mine

Arilak

"Definitive" is the ONLY way to describe this version of the album. Flawless pressing, gorgeous artwork, and the definition of what a remaster should be. Now to find a sleeve that fits it's gargantuan size.

Ucantia

The pixels on the waterfall image is really disturbing my eye. Only mine? I think they fucked up this picture, really.

Golkree

The first vinyl issue from 1999, the waterfall image was pure and clean, without the pixels.

Onnell

It's supposed to be like that. The original waterfall image is on Deviations 1 if you're curious.

BroWelm

This is how the artwork was intended to be for this album.

Zadora

The “definitive” reissues are some of the best sounding records in my collection. Stunning detail and high quality overall.

Mustard Forgotten

The remaster job is absolutely impeccable. Thought it was odd that this album needed a remaster but I'm truly blown away by how damn beautiful a job Trent did at it. Indeed, some of the more subtle layers are further brought out, but the quality itself is even more immaculate. The surface noise is one of the quietest in my collection with exception of some pops at the tail end of The Great Below leading into the run out groove.On a side note, as fantastic a pressing it is, there's some subtle, constant popping on Side D, particularly on The Way Out is Through. Dunno if it's the vinyl or part of the songs, cos there's some layers that are really brought out on some of these songs but dunno if the popping noises are part of the songs. Also, although I understand that the tracklist is staying true to its original vinyl release, I still really wish the Decay part of Ripe was added back on because that vinyl side could easily fit it on; I also kinda wish Ripe ended with a locked groove because that also really would have worked.

Heraly

I ordered The Fragile Deviations, and it arrived just wrecked from Sandbag. Very heavy creasing near 3 of the 4 corners. No padding inserts used. Interesting to learn it's a persistent problem. Credit to NIN customer service for refunding me in full, and actually refusing to accept the record back. Do contact customer service if you have trouble.

Fato

Anyone found an outer sleeve that fits this fat triple gatefold?

Just_paw

Mine is just a fat normal gatefold not a triple gatefold?

Lcena

looks like amazon has a double thick sleeve that fits 1-1/4" thick box sets......comes in pack of 25 though.......think i only have about 4 things that would fit. maybe split with some others ????

MeGa_NunC

I just got some box set sleeves. A little bigger than I would like but fits everything the way I store. http://www.sleevecityusa.com/ultimate-outer-boxed-set-pack-of-25-p/9350.htm

Anarius

Sounds amazing. The definitive remaster is very well executed. The subtle layers of orchestration that made me originally fall in love with this album when I first heard it on headphones have been brought slightly more to the foreground to shine. Sounds full, punchy, layered and well balanced.

Anasius

Oh my gosh don't pay these wild prices for this!!! It will be back up on their web store. Great pressing also.

Onetarieva

You have probably seen by now, but yes, along with src, amazon, and soundstage to name a few other places. I think shops are starting to receive orders now too so you could even find them abroad.

Anaragelv

Is that a sure thing? I really want a copy!

Zepavitta

My favorite album of all time! This pressing sounds fantastic, but is a tad lower quality than Broken, The Downward Spiral and Deviations 1. My copies of those 3 albums are all flawless. I've gone through two copies of The Fragile, because Sandbag damaged my first copy by shipping it poorly, and both copies of all 3 discs have a few flaws. Just some hiss and crackle during the quieter moments, and a few pops here and there. Nothing outrageous, but definitely noticeable compared to the other 3 flawless reissues.Still I highly HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking to own this album on vinyl.

VizoRRR

I'm currently waiting on my THIRD copy. The first one had tons of surface noise on "La Mer" and "The Great Below". The second had some sort of funk stuck right to the record (ironically, also on "La Mer"). I said screw Sandbag and ordered it from Amazon, which mercifully is now selling the Definitive Edition!

black coffe

I really wanted this, but the ridiculous price and even more ridiculous shipping costs changed my mind.And it's still expensive here. Pass.

Eayaroler

Amazon has this for pre-order for $30 brand new. The release date for the reissue is November 17, 2017.

Visonima

Sounds bloody amazing, ordered all the new pressings and i cant believe the sound.

Xtani

Anyone compared this new reissue to the original? Im listening now and the reissue sounds absolutely great...just wondering how it stacks up against the original?

Celore

I had the original. I personally thought it sounded better and the music had much more essence. This reissue is recorded quiet, I find I have to turn my volume much higher than usual.

Blacknight

Ok. I compared them the other day. I think the remaster sounds a little deeper and levels to things i’ve never heard in it. I’d say definitely worth getting. Plus, Trent oversaw this whole project, rather than it just being pushed by the labels he was tied to back in the day.

Charyoll

it's louder. that's the only difference in these re-releases and people seem to be creaming in their pants over it.... lol nin fans.

????????????????????????

I plan to do a comparison as soon as mine arrives. I'm curious myself.

Cenneel

Why are sellers asking $90 here when they're still half that on the NIN web store?

Tiainar

That's exactly what I'm thinking. They're doing it for the other new pressings too haha

Brariel

Are there any information if these reissues will hit the regular shops/mailorders etc. (in Europe) or are these NIN store/mailorder exclusives?

Nnulam

All the 2017 Definitive Editions, the two latest EP's, the soundtrack albums, AND the supposed "limited edition" Deviations 1 are now on both Amazon and SoundStageDirect.com. In Amazon's case, some are cheaper than they were on nin.com!

Nirad

Available for pre order now from various German distros: http://www.saturn.de/de/product/_nine-inch-nails-the-fragile-limited-3lp-rock-vinyl-2358830.html?rbtc=%7C%7C2358830%7C%7Cp%7C%7C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlbmTh6Ov1wIVEBO9Ch0NlAWpEAkYBCABEgK0xPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dshttps://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/nine-inch-nails-fragile-ltd/hnum/6785475

Llallayue

I just read info from a friend who runs a record shop in europe that its listed on their record distribution list that the whole NIN catalog has a record store release date for Nov.10-17 2017.

Beranyle

I'd hope that'd be the case. It'd be a lot easier to be able to order from Amazon (I always have quite a bit of money from gift cards saved up), or just go to my local record store and pick them all up at once.

Yozshunris

No info yet, but highly unlikely Interscope would let these be exclusive to the NIN store (or that Trent would want that), as they'll sell significantly more copies in stores and on Amazon. My guess is that because of the pressing delays, the entire first pressing was used to fill orders from the official store and once they can get more made, they'll start shipping them out to retail.

Conjuril

Jesus Christ this sounds amazing. What a monster of a remaster/repress.

Beazekelv

The Fragile by NIN: a journey any audiophile must go to. What a wonderful pressing! Listen closely.... It is filled with dynamics, punchy but not exaggerated bass, little elements that are not heard on the CD, very quiet reissue. NOTE: it has been sold out on their website.

Skiletus

Sold out now on NIN's store. Hope this is only temporary because it's my favorite album of Trent's and I lagged on grabbing it due to finances.

Minha

Odd that deviations was sold out, and then when I checked the site yesterday, fragile was sold out but deviations was back on sale. At least I have another chance to maybe get deviations.

shustrik

The spine of this album is huge - has anyone found sleeves that will fit it??

Haralem

I used a "Midwest Music Source" 12 3/4 x 12 3/4 sleeve and it fits perfect.

GoodLike

Will need a box set sleeve of some kind. I had a random zip lock bag that was what a stack of my normal sleeves came in, I'm currently using that until I find something more suitable. Ya, this thing was massive.

Gold as Heart

Like a lot of people, I've been waiting a long a time for a reissue of this album, and it did not disappoint in the least. Sounds absolutely unreal. Really cool booklet with a foreword From Bob Ezrin included as well. Learned some things about the album that I didn't know before. Definitely a must have for any NIN fan.

Chi

Same procedure as with Deviations - cover bent. Contacted Sandbag Helpdesk, they even promised to send me a new sealed vinyl set - let's wait and see!

Darkshaper

Received my preorder today. Running it through the 1st play. So far it sounds simply amazing.

Tejar

They boast "meticulously prepared" on the hype sticker, in regards to the remaster and pressing, I can agree. The audio is meticulous on the vinyl. However the packaging is where this falls short. Horrible LP cover, cheaply made. Though the LP comes direct from the band, carefully packed, the LP sleeve corners are easily dinged/bent. Disappointing they dropped the ball when it came to housing the vinyl. They could/should have used tip-on sleeves or sturdier covers. In a few years the spines on these LP's will be tearing, even careful audiophiles copies.

Jan

Trent may have spared no expense on the pressing and remastering, but he completely dropped the ball with the crappy packaging of the artwork and sleeve. ALL the new reissues suffer from this carelessness, meaning that the original pressings are *still* the definitive versions when it comes to the overall experience. Trent tried to call his shot with these, but whiffed big time on the packaging. He basically went against his own vinyl creed, which is rather embarrassing.

Zut

Even worse- the shrink wrapping from the factory really mashed the right open edge of the sleeve. It makes the whole package kinda wedge shaped and crushed. And that's BEFORE it gets shipped. I'm still gonna buy Year Zero when it gets reissued but with reservations...

Rasmus

Here is a rip I did with 1962 Empire 298 Turntable, 1965 HH Scott LK-60 and Denon DL-110 cartridge of "Somewhat Damaged" with this vinyl in case you need some convincing. Can rip a few other select tracks if you want to know how it fairs up to IGD.https://youtu.be/dzxh-ou0Pms

Honeirsil

Thank you for the upload. Interesting to hear it right after listening to my FLAC of the original CD pressing, bought the day of release. Sounds much drier, more organic--a strange thing to say about (IMHO) one of the greatest openers in the history of electronic music. But I like it. Looks like I'm gonna have to order it.

Marinara

And here is The Wretched to give you a better idea of IGD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhS3LCVbPGw. Still pretty good IMO.

Zeli

Received mine yesterday. Quality is excellent. Well worth the price.

Mmsa

Anybody have any feedback on how this version sounds? Quality?

Tansino

It's sourced from the original record or Tape. Therefore it cannot sound as good as an original copy sourced from the master. I had one copy, the wax looked great, but the print quality was not as crisp and sharp as the original as it was based on scans not the original grafic data. What annoied me the most was, that the stickers from the original were printed on the sleeve. So avoid this trash, go for the original reissue LP - https://store.nin.com/collections/music

Thordibandis

I can understand the sticker shock, but I also understand why it's priced this way. This is the first pressing and to a collector, especially if sealed, is of tremendous value. Beyond that, I am unaware of the quantity that were released for the first press, but I would presume there weren't many. Not shameful at all imo; it's a market and people will charge what either the market will bear or what they personally value the item at; supply and demand.

Ynonno

Shameful that people sell these for $$$'s to people who seriously enjoy and want to to collect the music. Ironic they complain about reissues bringing their prices down. Really? It's the only way for some people to get the music they love. Affordable.

Loni

The Fragile is the 1990's equivalent of Roger Water's The Wall. It's a concept album, so if you're looking for a typical singles based effort, look elsewhere. Like The Wall, the listener is meant to take a journey through both discs and experience, sonically and emotionally what Trent was going through during this period of his life. To skip through songs or pass them by is to cheat yourself of the entire story. Would you skip chapters in a book? No? Then you shouldn't skip tracks while listening to The Fragile. Taken as a whole, this record may very well be Trent's master work. I give it 5/5.

The Sphinx of Driz

I see no improvements over the original 1999 record.Listening with Sennheiser headphones, looks like nothing has been changed but compressed a little more. But to my taste, I prefer the original issue.With all respect I have for Trent Reznor, he will excuse me... Seems to be a guy that should understand about the loudness war - but these reissues are louder.Actually, Deviations 1 is a more interesting project because of alternate mixes.

Anararius

$150 for this, $45 for the reissue.. jesus christ, that's still insane.

Jode

Repress is repress & the original stays original......forever! Very simple...

Meztisho

The $150 is the seller asking price AFTER the news of a repress. This WAS selling for a median price of $272 before....$45 for a 3 LP album with the profits going to the artist instead of some second hand seller isn't bad at all IMO...I pre-ordered the $45 repress without a blink of an eye, but that's just me. Can't wait to have this on vinyl!

Leyl

Why would anybody pay the astronomical prices for this.There is going to be a 2017 reissue. It's available for pre order now from the official NIN web store.

Camper

Why would anybody pay the astronomical prices for this.There is going to be a 2017 reissue. It's available for pre order now from the official NIN web store.

Why would anybody pay the astronomical prices for this.There is going to be a 2017 reissue. It's available for pre order now from the official NIN web store.

Nuadazius

Having heard both this OG press and the remastered 2017 release, people are suckers for paying these high prices for this OG release.

Dagdage

Just got my NM copy at a bargain cost of $300. The sound is (above the surface noise) superb, and much deeper than the digital copy I own. I feel it's worth the cost considering the availability, the greatness of the music, and the age of the vinyl. $300 is a fair asking price considering the seller paid the ridiculous asking price when it was released ($40). I remember holding this record in the record shop and saying to myself "$40 is too much," so I passed on it... boy am I sorry I did that. Bottom line, I have no complaints about the cost... possibly my favorite NIN album...

Alsanadar

Reissue is due in Spring 2017 according to the official site.

Silverbrew

Don't cry, my friends, for the fucking speculators. PRESALE of REISSUE in spring 2017 of this one and many other from NIN. :Dhttps://uk-store.nin.com/products/the-fragile-2017-definitive-edition?variant=32957614158 Remember: vinyl records are for listening NOT FOR COLLECTING OR PAYING HUNDRED DOLLARS for a fucking used vinyl record.

he just announced reissues of broken, the downward spiral and the fragile. (and a special alternate instrumental redone version of the fragile.) these prices are going to come way down because people won't buy them anymore. they'll just wait for the reissues. that's great for people who don't have originals, but for someone like me, who bought it on day one, it's sad. it was one of my most highest-priced records, too. oh well... at least i'll finally have broken.

Mezilabar

Keep an eye on ebay. Auctions tend to bid up to $200 but sometimes less and usually not much more. As of right now that's just the market value for it. Price has been crawling up for years, $200 used to be overpaying, now it's a good deal. What's worse is that the bootlegs often go for more.

Jare

Maybe a long shot, but if anyone happens to have the outer paper sleeve to this that you are willing to sell I'd buy it.

FailCrew

So how exactly can you tell the counterfeits from the originals? They both have the same barcode and "label code" right? Is the only reason this is still readily available (still at high prices) because of counterfeits?

lifestyle

So far, all the counterfeits have their hype stickers actually printed on the jackets. They both show on the backside of the cover (with the flowers), right underneath the words THE FRAGILE. So a good way to tell is if those are present AND it appears no longer shrink wrapped.

Arthunter

Checking this out, myself. I think the gatefold and booklet might be the tell (?). There's a European pressing on eBay right now that cites gatefold + booklet. I don't see mention of this for the other European pressing listed on Discogs.

Laitchai

In this 4th album release, Trent takes his production skills to the next level and reaches new sonic landscapes while making a perfect album from stem to stern, in a uniquely NIN way. Everything before led to this perfect album and everything after has the sound of being "post Fragile", where he branches into different versions of his trademark sound. This album is the epitome of what pre-y2k era NIN was about, self loathing, thick beats, layers of distorted guitars, industrial synths and neurotic production skills. If ever you can own it on vinyl, do it.

Innadril

Ignored this album for a _LONG_ time and realized how stupid I was.I will rank this one as one of the more remarkably Nine Inch Nails masterpieces.Yes, it's pretty long, some songs are unnecessary even.Let's put this way: The "Left" CD is by itself good enough to sport an evolution from The Downward Spiral.The "Right" CD starts pretty okay with a few slips along the way. This is a must have. The masterpieces here are "The Frail / The Wretched", "La Mer (The Sea) / The Great Below", with some catching tunes like the opening track "Somewhat Damaged" and the splendid "Just Like You Imagined".

Ionzar

This album really need a good vinyl reissue... I'm surprised there's even no unnoficial/bootleg releases

Shalinrad

I just bought a copy of this in a used music store. Did it originally come with a slipcover?